RM24,000 a year on cats? For this couple, it’s love
The substantial expenses cover food, litter, medication, wet food and other necessities for their pets.
SPENDING thousands of ringgit on cats may be considered wasteful by some, but for married couple Rosshuhaini Zamri and Adam Chen Abdullah, it is an expression of love for their beloved pets.
According to Rosshuhaini, affectionately known as Nanny, 49, she and her husband, Adam, 54, set aside about RM2,000 a month, or more than RM24,000 a year, to buy necessities for their 15 cats, whom they regard as their own children.
She said the substantial expenses cover food, litter, medication, wet food and other necessities for their pets.
"I don't mind going without new clothes or other things for myself, as long as all their needs are met because they are like our own children," she told Sinar recently.
Recounting how she came to have so many cats, Nanny said it began when a friend gifted her two cats, Purin and Jlo, for her birthday.
She said the number of cats subsequently increased after Jlo gave birth to 12 kittens in two litters, which were named after characters from the film Bujang Lapok and the animated series Doraemon.
The number later grew to 15 after she and her husband rescued three strays. They were named Dayang, Adik Manja - both of whom had lost an eye due to injuries - and Kassim Selamat, who has a head tilt.
"The cost and challenges of caring for all the cats have increased, especially after Ramlee and Sunio developed liver problems and needed to take Samilyn medication daily, which costs about RM20.
"I have certainly sacrificed a lot of money and time. Some of the cats need extra attention because they are ill, but I have chosen to care for them because I have grown attached to them," she said.
Nanny said that although she and her husband have to look after their 15 'children' every day, it has never been a burden. Instead, the cats have made their lives more cheerful, with each having its own unique personality.
These include Purin, who knows how to give high-fives, while Ajis tends to get jealous when more attention is given to other cats.
She said one of the cats that attracts the most attention is Nobita, whose face has appeared to be smiling since it was two months old. Its habit of seemingly smiling without being prompted surprised her and her husband, eventually making a video of the cat go viral on social media.
"At about 7am that morning, Nobita came into our room while my husband and I were getting ready for work. Suddenly, it started smiling on its own without me even touching its mouth. I quickly scrambled to find my phone to record it, but only managed to capture a short clip," she said.
Besides keeping her company at home, the cats also help Nanny promote pet supplies through TikTok.
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